A Barrow milkman accused of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after an accident which has left a cyclist still in a coma six months later, has appeared at Furness Magistrates Court.

David Reid, 70, indicated no plea to the charge, and the case was committed to Preston crown court. 3 other charges were also committed to the crown court – failing to report an incident; use of a motor vehicle in a condition likely to cause danger or injury; and use of a motor vehicle in a manner likely to cause danger.

It is alleged Reid knocked 36-year-old Paul Reynolds off his bike in Bank Lane, Ormsgill, Barrow, at 6.39am on February 27 as Mr Reynolds cycled to work.

When police arrived they found Mr Reynolds unconscious, with serious head and eye injuries.

Mrs Lisa Hine, prosecuting, said Mr Reynolds was taken to Furness General Hospital and later transferred to Royal Preston Hospital.

The court heard that Mr Reynolds remains in a coma and it is not clear what the impact of his injuries will be if he recovers.

Reid is due to appear in Preston Crown Court on November 5th.

UPDATE (15/11/13)

David Reid pleaded not guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving when he appeared at Barrow Crown Court.

Reid is due to stand trial at Preston Crown Court on April 9th.

UPDATE (14/04/14)

At Reid’s trial, the court was told that, following the incident, Reid stopped immediately to check on Mr Reynolds and said “I think he’s dead”.

He then continued on the milk round for 30 minutes, calling for help from Ormsgill post office before dropping off his 15-year-old helper and returning to the scene in a car where he was arrested by police.

A passing motorist discovered Mr Reynolds and called for help. He remains in a care home with serious brain injuries and requires two full-time carers.

Mr Brian McKenna, prosecuting, told the court: “The prosecution say that the way that this incident occurred was that at all times Mr Reid’s vehicle was on the wrong side of the road. They were not going very fast, certainly no more than 20mph. It seems the intention was to turn right into Sowerby Avenue. Mr Reynolds was coming around that corner and there was a collision.”

Reid was accompanied by a then 15-year-old school boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who told police the incident left his boss “shocked”.

He said: “Dave got out to see if he was alright, he said hello to him and he came back and said to me ‘I think he’s dead’.

“He kept saying ‘what do I do’ and then he went: ‘cyclists, they are dangerous on the road – they do not pay attention.’”

The court heard Mr Reynolds’ bike did not have lights and he was not wearing reflective gear.

UPDATE (22/04/14)

Reid was acquitted by a jury of causing serious injury by dangerous driving but found guilty of the much lesser offence of careless driving.

Reid was unable to explain why he had carried on with his milk round, saying that the incident had left him in a “confused” state of mind, adding, “It isn’t in my nature at all to be callous.”

Reid is due to be sentenced on 4 August, although Judge Graham Knowles has told him not to expect a custodial sentence.

UPDATE (17/10/2014)

David Reid was fined £3000 and given a 70 day suspended sentence plus 70 hours unpaid work after he was convicted of careless driving at Burnley Crown Court.

The maximum sentence that can be imposed for careless driving is a £5,000 fine and/or 6 months in custody. Judges can also impose a driving ban but it is not obligatory. Between 3 and 9 penalty points can be given if a ban is not imposed.

The fine given in this case was considerably higher than the average fine for careless driving, which is £152.